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Transcript

Willis Feby 1st./78
My Dear Son
I have a business matter which I am
requested to communicate to you that will, no,
doubt surprise you. No matter. Mrs. Golding
Jun, and her Husband have requested me to lay
the following facts before you. That there is am
estate (land) in Scotland that of right belongs
to the descendents of her Scotch ancestor
Alexander Sample, who was her Great
Grandfather and who emigrated to America
toward the close of the revolutionary War; in
what year, she does not remember having no reco
-rd here to refer to. He settled in South Carolina
where he died, leaving five Children. Her
fathers father being one of them. Mrs. Golding
informs me that there are not a great many heirs
considering the laps of time. And that they can
nearly all be found in South Caorlina, and
in Alabama near Selma, And that she
has a relative (Mrs Jones) near Selma who
has in her possession (her) Mrs. Gs Great Grand
fathers
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family Bible, containing as she believes a
full family record kept by him. And further
that this same relative has also in her possession
papers that belonged to her Great Grand father
They may not in any way relate diretly to
his tittle to the estate in question. But they
might be of service in proving him to be the party
owning the estate as above mentioned. It is
also a well known fact that his house was
burned be the English, or Tories, not long
after his arrival in South Carolina, And that
many members of the family knew of his
(her) Great Grandfathers intention to send
back to Edinburoh [sic] to have his title renewed
as he was unable to return there, as was his
intention. When he left Scotland his property
was near the City of Edinburoh. Now as they
are informed with in the City. Mrs G says
that about seven years ago a man just from
Edinburoh was at her fathers house, near
Selma and told him that he knew of
this landed estate being there, and that
it was very valuable worth several
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millions of dollars, And he advised her Father to go
on and attend to it, as he would certain to get it, &c &c
But he could not go, And up to this time no applica-
tion for it has ever been made. From what Mrs. G has
heard her parents & others say, she believes their heir-
ship could easily be proven up. She says that every
branch of the family both male & female, have had
a Son named Alexander. This together with Bible
records would make a strong link in a chain of evidence
Mrs Golding tell me that her Mother says it is a character
-istic trait of character in the Sample family to delay
attending to business that is not within convenient
reach of them - hence the neglect. As I am the adviser in trying to have
the investigations made, will you make it as a favor
to me, that is to examine the law, and see what kind
and what amount of proof would have to be adduced
Whether there is any such thing as heirs being bared
in Scotland by statute of limitation &c &c. Mrs G
will, or has today written on for a copy of the old family
Bible record for you to see. This book taken on would
perhaps be valuable in several ways. I have
written this much to give you some little in
-sight into the matter, But face to face Mrs G
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could tell you much more relative thereto than I
am able to embody in a letter. If this turns out
anything it may be worth your careful atten-
tion. As you can have the business to attend
to - No mention of the project will be made
to outsiders. Come up if you can after Gaston moves
here, which he will do so soon as the weather will
permit. I am not feeling well, for want of exercise
most likely, when Sallie gets here I will be with
them if they can get a house with sufficient room
Let me hear form you at the earliest moment.
I have had letters from all my Kinfolks. All well
Affectionately Your Mother
Mary Jones
Mrs. Golding request[s] me to say to you that she is satisfied
that all her Kinfolks will be willing to remunerate
you amply of you can attend to this matter & get
the property & sell it for them &c &c
Mrs Goldings Brother has been bailed & is at
home, but in very bad health.